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(NoModel.) 2 Sheets-Sheet i.. W. S. AUCHINCLGSS.

AVBRAGING MAG No. 281,953. e ed July 24, 1883.

N. PETERS. Phammmgnpher. wamingmn. n. c.

(No Model.)

'mY-vw e 5 w e @x0 WA w. S.AU0H1N0L0SS. AVERAGING MACHINE.

Patented July Z4, 1883.

RS, ubLRMln hir. WM 01C1 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.,

i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM S. AUGHINCLOSS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

AvERAe'lNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 281,953, dated July 24, 1883.

v Application filed Juno 14,1883. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, NVILLIAM S. Anci-IIN- cLOss, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Averaging-Machines, of which the following is a specifica tion. v

This invention relates to an improvementin that class of machines for which Letters Patlent have been granted to me May 2, 1882, No. 257 ,430. In the machine described in this patent the platform, when moved in a horizontal direction in relationto its bearings, is counterbalanced by sliding weights, which are caused to move automatically in a direction contrary to that in which the platform is moved. In my new machine, which forms the subj ect-matter of this present application, I use an endless self balancing` platform so constructed and mounted in relation to its bearings that when the machine is operated the iniiuence of the weight of the platform is wholly eliminated. The peculiar and novel construction of this machine is pointed out in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a longitudinal vertical section in the plane x, Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a plan or top view. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section in the plane y y, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a similar section in the plane z e, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a partial side elevation on a larger scale than the previous gures. Fig. 6 is a plan of one of the chain-links. Fig. 7 is an elevation of the representative weights. Fig. 8 is a sectional plan of a portion of the platform.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

. In the drawings, the letter A designates the base-plate, from the central portion of which rise two standards, B B, and in the upper portions of these standards are formed-boxes c c, which support the knife-edge bearings I) b of a table, C. On the opposite ends of this table are secured brackets c c, Figs. 2 and 4, which form the bearings for shafts d (l, on each of which are mounted two plain rollers, e c, and two grooved rollers, f f, Fig. 4. `The rollers f f support the endless self-balancing platform D, and the plain rollers e c support the endless tapes E F, one on each side of the platform, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

like parts used in its construction shall be of uniform size and weight, so that 'when the platform is stretched round the grooved rollers f f it does not disturb the balance of the table O. By referring to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the upper or working portion of the platform rests upon the table C, while beneath said table sufficient room is provided for the slack of the platform, so that said platform can be revolved round and round the table without obstruction, andA at the same time the platform may be so revolved without disturbing the balance of the table.

'The construction of the platform, as above described, has certain advantages which will be presently pointed out; but I do not want to be restricted to this precise construction, since such may be changed without deviating from my invention.

rIhe tapes E F are yfastened to the chains 71J h, and they are marked with suitable scales. For the purpose of securing the tapes in the required position I provide their ends with metallic tips t' i, Fig. 5, and from two of the chainlinks project slotted arms j, Figs. 5 and 6, the slots in these arms serving to receive the ends of the tapes, which are retained therein by the metallic tips fi, Fig. 5. The slotted arms j project from opposite sides of the platform, and they are in `such a position in relation to the knife-edge Vbearings of the table C that they balance each other whatever the position of the platform may be.

By referring to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the scale on the tape E is twice as large as that on the tape F. For instance, if the distance from one figure to the next on tape F is a little in excess of the diameter of one roller, the distance from one figure to the next on tape E is a little in excess of the diameter of two rollers; but it is obvious that the scales may be modi- IOO fied, and I provide tapes with various scales, so as to be prepared for the various problems to be solved by my machine.

The principal advantage of the endless platform, constructed of rollers as above described, is that, since th e'rollers are free to revolve, such platform, even if loaded, can be moved with comparatixfe ease over the table C; and, fur thermore, the interstices between the adjoining rollers form, so to speak, grooves, into which the representative weights can be placed,

and which retain said weights in the required position. l

The representative weights VI'W iW2 4W lV", which I generally use in my machine, are shown in Fig. 7. The weight XV represents 1,000; the weight'W, 500; NW, 100;7, 50; and NV, 10; and the weights XV, \V, and l are made in the form of cylinders, wh il e the weights )V2 and XV are made in the form of globes. 13eneath one end of the table C is an inclined chute, G, from the outer end of which rises an abutment, 7c, Fig. 1, while its inner end communicates through an aperture, l, with a receptacle, H. Beneath the outer end of the chute G is a drawer, I, in which the weights and other deviees-such as a handle, J, Fig. 2-may be placed. In the handle J is secured a iiat tip, Z, which may be inserted between two of the rollers of the platform D, so that by means of said handle the platform can be conveniently moved or revolved.

K is a vernier for reading off fractions of the scales marked on the tapes E F. Frein each of the standards B B projects an index, L or M, the index L pointing on the scale of the tape E, while the index M points on the scale of the tape F. From one end of thebase Arise two standards, N, provided with slots to engage with the ends of one of the shafts d, Fig. S, so as to limit the oscillating motion of the platform D.

The :following examples will illustrate the operation of my machine Question.-`What is the average price of the following quantities of cotton: 1,000 bales at 62% pence; 500 bales at pence; 500 bales at (Sgpence; 1,000 bales at 0%?,- pence; 2,000 bales at (5g-- pence? Place a 1,000-weight in 23-groove, 500- weight in 27 groove, i300-weight in .S5-groove, 1,000-weight in 47-groove', 2,000-weightin 57- groove, as indicated by scale on tape F; move the platform until it will balance, and the index M will point to 43, showing that the average price of the cotton is 6% pence.

Question-)What is the cost of one -pound of a mixture of five ingredients: 1,000pounds, worth 23 cents; 500 pounds, worth 27 cents; 500 pounds, worth 35 cents; 1,000 pounds, worth 47 cents; 2,000 pounds, worth 57 cents? The weights are again arranged as above, an d when the platform is moved so that it balances the index M points to 43, which is the price of one pound of the mixture.

In eases where it is desirable to read off fractions of a cent or pound or other unit represented at the time 'being by the scales on the tapes .E E,- the vernier 1K. is applied as shown inFig. 2. g

rlhe average duegdate of any commercial account may be found by aid of the averagingmachine, as :follows: Place the weights representing the debits in grooves representing the days on which purchases were made and move the endless band until the platform is in balance. The reading of the index will be the average due-date of the debits. Then remove all the weights from the platform without disturbing the endless band. From these take such weights as will represent the moneys paid on account and distribute them in the grooves representing the days on which those payments were made. One side or the other of the platform will sink under this load. Finally, pour the contents of your left hand (equal to the unpaid money) upon the plat` form and play seesaw with the amount that has been paid. 'Whichever groove holds the unpaid amount, when it balances the money paid, will be the representative of the day on which the balance ofthe account will fall due, and from which interest must be computed in the ordinary manner.

Questionf-What is the average due-date of the balance of the following account? Nov. 3, to mdse $312 Dec/19, by cash $020 30 7, 440 00 Jan. s, :me ou 2l, 2S() 50 Q2, 3412 2S), 534 (l0 Dec. 2Go o0 s134155 15, 175 8() 27, 53o no 3l, 149 20 Jau. (i, 860 00 14, i 183 00 E28, 230 00 Balance 2,903 10 After placing weights representing the debi ts in grooves representing the respective days on which purchases were made, and moving the endless band until the platform is in bal ance, the index will mark December 14 7 as the average due-date of the debits. Lift off all the weights and place on the respective credits. Finally, pour the remaining weights (equal to the unpaid money) on the platform and roll them over the same until they balance the credits. They will lodge in the December 7th groove, which is the average due-date from which interest on the balance ($2,803.70) must be computed.

The table C is made in two sections, which are united by hinge-joints on, (see Figs. 1, 2, and 5,) so that said table, together with the platform, can be folded in order to reduce the length of the machine for the purpose of transportation or storage.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the principal feature of my present invention is the endless self-balancing platform, and it will be readily understood that this platform can be made in the forni of a plain endless apron, on which the required scale or scales might be indicated bylines or ative weights can be changed and multiplied 2SH,953 l I;

otherwise, and on which semi-cylindrical strips l are fastened, to facilitate the adjustment of the representative weights; but in this case the table C would have to be provided with rollers in order to facilitate the movement lof the platform over said table.

It must also be remarked that the representas the occasion may require.

Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination of the endless self-balancing platform with the knife edge -supported table, substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and described.

2. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, with the knife-edge supported table, of rollers and an endless platform stretched over said rollers.

WILLAM S. AUCHINCLOSS. [11. s]

Witnesses:

Jos. WM. BATES, J oHN W. WHITE. 

